‘Baboons’ slur drama

A BIRTHDAY celebration in the quiet Karoo town of Middelburg turned ugly after a neighbour allegedly called partygoers at the house “Zuma’s baboons”.

The racial spat last year, which saw a guest at the Church Street house allegedly assaulted with a bottle of beer, has now landed the 42-year-old alleged assailant in court.

The Middelburg Magistrate’s Court was packed yesterday when Carel Ellis appeared in connection with the incident at the house of ANC Chris Hani district regional secretary Noncedo Zonke’s daughter, Sindiswa Mfamana, 27.

Ellis allegedly kicked down the door to Mfamana’s house, threatened to burn the house down, and fired a shot in the street outside when she refused to turn the music down.

He faces 11 charges, including housebreaking, malicious damage to property, crimen injuria, assault, negligent handling of a firearm and operating a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.

It is alleged he pointed the gun at several partygoers and threatened to kill them.

The trial continues on July 17.

Ellis is out on warning.

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